Round Nine Scores

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

COL   6.4   11.6   16.7   20.14 (134)
GEEL  2.2    3.3    6.5    7.6  (48)

GOALS: COL - Cloke 4, Medhurst 3, Didak 2, Davis 2, Shaw, B. Johnson, Rocca, Fraser, Clarke, Lockyer, Pendlebury, Bryan, Thomas; GEEL - Ablett 2, Varcoe, Wojcinski, Gamble, Mooney, Hawkins

BEST: COL - Clarke, Thomas, Cloke, Lockyer, Swan, Pendlebury, Rocca; GEEL - Ablett, Corey

UMPIRES: McBurney, Kennedy, Jeffery

CROWD: 78,206 at the MCG

It is said of teams on big winning streaks that they are just one game away from a loss. The biggest question over the first eight weeks was which team would be the one to stop a Geelong outfit with no apparent weaknesses. In recent weeks, the Cats have gotten off to sluggish starts, but managed to eventually overcome their opponents. The Magpies were ready for them in this game and applied plenty of pressure and fierce tackling to keep Geelong off-balance. The Magpies moved the ball quickly to their forwards. The first several scoring chances came as the result of Magpie players running down Cat defenders to gain possession of the ball. Pendlebury missed his shot on goal before Davis earned a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) against Scarlett and goaled. Collingwood kicked two more in the next few minutes. The Cats came to life long enough to kick two goals midway through the term but the Pies added another three for an unbelievable 26 points at 1/4 time.

The second term was more of the same as the Pies continued to prevent the Cats from moving the ball quickly as they like to do. The Pie forward line of Rocca, Didak, Medhurst, Davis and Cloke functioned like a well-oiled machine. The Cat defense was unable to stop all of them. If one or two were covered, the others came to the fore. The midfielders won plenty of the ball to supply the Pie forward line, resulting in a five goal to one term and a Collingwood lead of 51 points at 1/2 time.

When the Cats opened the third term with three consecutive goals, it appeared they were set to reel in Collingwood. Star Cat Ablett had a hand in all three goals. First he set up Gamble, then kicked one himself, before slipping through the Magpie defense to dish the ball off to Mooney for the next. The Magpies had other ideas, kicking the next five to grab a 63 point lead at 3/4 time.

The final term was a mere formality, with Collingwood kicking a further four goals to one for an emphatic victory. The win sends a message to the other 14 teams that the Cats can be stopped with pressure, tackling and total team focus by the opposition.

SYD   8.1   11.4   13.9   16.9 (105) 
PA    6.1    9.5   11.7   14.10 (94)

GOALS: SYD - Moore 3, O'Loughlin 2, Buchanan 2, O'Keefe 2, McVeigh 2, Jolly, Kirk, Bevan, C. Bolton, Schmidt; PA - Ebert 6, Tredrea 3, D. Motlop 2, Lade, P. Burgoyne, Gray

BEST: SYD - Goodes, Kirk, Moore Mattner, J. Bolton, O'Keefe; PA - Ebert, Tredrea, Salopek, Cassisi, Lade, Brogan

UMPIRES: Margetts, Rosebury, McInerney

CROWD: 25,013 at AAMI Stadium

At one end, it was O'Loughlin, Moore, and O'Keefe. At the other it was Ebert, Tredrea and Motlop. Weather conditions were perfect and the opening term promised a shootout between the respective forward lines. Both teams missed several early chances before Sydney booted the first two goals. Although the Swans did better through the midfield, Port stayed right with them. Ebert kicked three of Port's six goals in the term, but the Swans added six of their own to lead by two goals at 1/4 time.

Both teams tightened up defensively in the second term. The Swans employed their trademark lock-down style, but Port still managed to win enough of the ball to keep the term relatively even. Both sides kicked just three goals for the term but also missed several shots which could have turned the tide for either of them. As it was, Sydney still had the advantage with an 11 point lead at 1/2 time.

Coach Mark Williams had some harsh words for ruck duo Brogan and Lade at the break. They came out to win plenty of the ruck duels, but the Swans manned up and prevented the ball from going to the Power's advantage. The first goal of the term didn't come until midway through when Gray tackled Jude Bolton to dispossess him. Ebert then won the ball for a Port goal. Then O'Loughlin goaled from a free kick and was set up for another by Goodes to increase Sydney's lead. Ebert kicked his last of the match late in the term, but the Swans still led by 14 points at 3/4 time.

Just minutes into the final term, Daniel Motlop and Peter Burgoyne goaled to slash Sydney's lead to just two points. The Swans continued their lock-down play, stopping Port in their tracks before Motlop goaled again midway through the term to give Port the lead for the first time in the match. The never-say-die Swans came back. Moore goaled to restore Sydney's lead. Then Schmidt marked (caught the ball) and goaled. McVeigh ensured the win with the sealing goal n the dying minutes of the game.

CARL  4.3   7.7   11.10   14.13 (97)
FRE   3.1   7.1    13.1   14.4  (88)

GOALS: CARL - Fisher 2, Betts 2, Scotland 2, Fevola, Browne, Edwards, Wiggins, Simpson, Carrazzo, Stevens, Pfeiffer; FRE - Pavlich 4, Tarrant 3, Farmer 2, Bell, Duffield, Solomon, Michael Johnson, Bradley

BEST: CARL - Stevens, Bentick, Fisher, Grigg, Carrazzo, Waite, Scotland; FRE - Ibbotson, Palmer, Sandilands, Pavlich, Solomon, Michael Johnson, McPharlin

UMPIRES: Ellis, Fila, Meredith

CROWD: 28,955 at Telstra Dome

The opening of the game was a scrap and it started before the first bounce. Blues' defender O'hAilpin gave Pavlich a bit too much physical attention and conceded a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) and a goal. The Blues got it back as both sides traded goals. Two goals to Carlton late in the term gave them an eight point lead at 1/4 time.

The Dockers were within a kick when Farmer goaled early in the second term. Carlton was right on top of Freo as they dominated play. Goals to Simpson, Fevola and Wiggins extended Carlton's lead. Late in the term, Pavlich kicked from 60 meters (65 yards) and the ball bounced through for a goal. From there, the scoring dried up until late in the term when Tarrant and Johnson goaled to cut Carlton's lead to just six points at 1/2 time.

The third term was one of fluctuating fortunes. First it was Carlton stretching their lead to 18 points through Betts and Edwards. Then it was Fremantle's turn as they rallied with the next four goals. Tarrant kicked two, Bradley nailed one on the run to give the Dockers the lead and Farmer caught Stevens with the ball to earn a free kick. Both teams kicked two more goals for the term, the last to Browne after the siren to have the Blues within three points at 3/4 time.

The Docker lead was back out to 10 points early in the final term with a goal to Pavlich. The game then turned into an arm-wrestle in the midfield until Carrazzo broke free midway through the term for a Carlton goal. A minute later, Stevens goaled from close range and the Blues were in front once more. The Dockers will rue several costly misses in the final term. Pavlich had a chance to regain the lead for the Dockers but his kick from 20 meters (22 yards) hit the post, then Judd's kick for goal fell short. It was left to former Crow Pfeiffer to win the ball and kick the winning goal late in the term.

RICH  5.3   10.8   12.10   16.14 (110)
ESS   0.5    2.6    8.8    10.12 (72)

GOALS: RICH - Brown 3, Edwards 3, Pettifer 2, Deledio, Foley, Hyde, Johnson, Richardson, Pattison, White; ESS - Lloyd 4, Hille, Neagle, McVeigh, Monfries, Nash, Stanton

BEST: RICH - Foley, Deledio, Brown, Pettifer, White, Edwards, Richardson; ESS - Hille, Lloyd, Watson

INJURY: RICH - Polak replaced in selected side by Pettifer; ESS - Dyson (appendix) replaced in selected side by Nash

UMPIRES: Donlon, Vozzo, Ryan

CROWD: 60,333 at the MCG

This was the "Dreamtime At The G" game, which celebrates the Aboriginal contributions to the game and fosters the relation between the indigenous community and the rest of the population. The Tigers came out more committed and more willing to throw themselves into contests. Both teams are struggling at the moment and it could be difficult to say whether the Tigers have improved that much or whether Essendon is still that bad. The Tigers completely dominated a lackluster Essendon. Brown made amends for several early misses to goal early. Most of Richmond's five goals were direct results of Essendon errors. White added Richmond's second before Lloyd and Neagle both missed for the Bombers. Foley, Edwards and Pettifer also added goals while Essendon could manage just three more points, giving the Tigers a 28 point lead at 1/4 time.

Pettifer and Edwards goaled to start off the second term as the Tigers added three before the Bombers finally got on the board through Lloyd midway through the term. The Tigers fired back through Richardson and Pattison. McVeigh's goal was little comfort for the Bombers who trailed by 50 points at 1/2 time.

Essendon put up some fight in the third term and showed more commitment to pile on four goals. Neagle started the run, followed by Monfries and two to Lloyd. The Tigers were quick to reply through Johnson and Brown. Stanton and Hille added two late goals for Essendon, but Richmond still held a comfortable 26 point lead at 3/4 time.

Brown was in the thick of it again at the start of the final term as the Richmond defense of Bowden, Thursfield and King kept Essendon at bay although. Nash managed to add one for Essendon. Richmond then wasted a number of chances to blow the game apart before Deledio, Edwards and Richardson goaled. Lloyd added one final goal for the Bombers, but the game had already been long over.

WCE  1.4   7.5   10.10   14.13 (97)
ADE  0.3   1.7    4.12    5.17 (47)

GOALS: WCE - McKinley 2, Embley 2, Wirrpanda 2, Cox 2, Masten, Kennedy, Armstrong, Staker, Ebert, Braun; ADE - Maric 2, van Berlo 2, Johncock

BEST: WCE - Embley, Priddis, Fletcher, Jones, Rosa, Staker; ADE - Thompson, van Berlo, Johncock, Maric

UMPIRES: Farmer, Schmitt, Wenn

CROWD: 35,348 at Subiaco Oval

Heavy rain just prior to the game could account for an error filled opening term. Neither could break away for any clear advantage as they kicked a combined total of seven points before Wirrpanda set up Masten for his first AFL goal and the only goal of the term to give the Eagles a seven point lead at 1/4 time.

The Eagles broke the game open in the second term. Fletcher, Rosa and Embley set up plenty of attacking moves from defense while the Eagle forwards often roamed away from their forward line to give teammates ample opportunity to get the ball in to them. The Eagles piled on four goals before Maric finally posted Adelaide's first goal midway late in the term. Embley added another to give the Eagles a 34 point lead at 1/2 time.

The Eagles continued to control much of the match in the third term. Brett Jones kept Burton goalless while Selwood kept gamebreaker McLeod from having any sort of influence. Both sides were somewhat wasteful in front of goal, kicking 3.5 each for the term. Johncock and van Berlo kicked all of Adelaide's goals while McKinley and Kennedy did the same for the Eagles, who kept their 34 point lead at 3/4 time.

Staker opened the scoring in the final term. Adelaide's only goal came via an interchange goof which, under the new rules, handed Maric a 50 meter penalty (55 yards) and goal. The Eagles proceeded to kick a further three to break their seven game losing streak and prevent their worst start to a season since losing eight straight in 2001.

NM  5.3    7.7   12.11   16.17 (113) 
WB  5.3   11.7   14.10   16.14 (110) 

GOALS: NM - Thompson 4, Petrie 3, Harvey 2, Harris, McIntosh, Rawlings, Campbell, Harding, Lower, Jones; WB - Akermanis 4, Murphy 3, Johnson 3, Minson 2, Cooney, Hahn, Welsh, Gilbee

BEST: NM - Simpson, McIntosh, Rawlings, Harding, Thompson, Harris, Wells; WB - Cooney, Akermanis, Boyd, Griffen, Cross, Morris, Murphy

INJURY: NM - Wells (knee)

UMPIRES: M. Nicholls, Ryan, Stevic

CROWD: 34,971 at Telstra Dome

It was Brent Harvey's 250th game, but he would probably prefer to forget the first few minutes, if he can remember them at all. Harvey collided with someone's knee and had to come off as the Bulldogs shot out to a 19 point lead, courtesy of two goals to Akermanis and accidental interference from field umpire Nicholls. He got in the way of McIntosh which caused a turnover for Akermanis' first goal. Harvey returned to the field and kicked a great running goal as the Kangaroos kicked four of the next five goals for a six point lead. Johnson goaled for the Dogs late in the term to level the scores at 1/4 time.

The Dogs were the first to fire again at the start of the second term. Inaccuracy by the Kangaroos was proving critical while the Bulldogs surged with four goals. Thompson finally goaled for the Kangaroos, followed by Petrie's goal from a 50 meter penalty (55 yards). The Bulldogs kicked clear again, adding two more goals for the term to lead by 24 points at 1/2 time.

Both sides came out hard in the third term, but it was the Kangaroos who got on top early with goals to Harding and Petrie. Thompson added two in the term and Harris kicked a contender for goal of the year with a long range kick from close to the boundary. The Bulldogs kicked four of their own in the term to hold an 11 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Kangaroos grabbed the lead early in the final term with goals to Jones and Harvey. The Bulldogs regained the lead through Akermanis. Play was fast and furious throughout the term and both sides missed crucial shots on goal. Kangaroos Petrie and Grant hit the post as did Johnson for the Bulldogs. Those misses proved to be the difference in the end. Lower goaled from 50 meters (55 yards) to give the Kangaroos the lead once more. Then Petrie got hold of a loose ball from a marking contest and goaled. It would prove to be the winner. Johnson goaled with minutes remaining to have the Bulldogs within four points. The Bulldogs gained possession again with less than a minute remaining, kicked the ball forward. Johnson marked (caught the ball) 40 meters (44 yards). Seconds later, the siren sounded. The Kangaroos surged forward to flood the Bulldogs' forward area. Not only was Johnson facing a see of blue and white stripes, but Kangaroo fans were waving everything they could from their seats behind the goals. The distraction did the trick as Johnson's kick went wide of the big sticks, leaving the Roos with a three point win and the Dogs with their first loss of the season.

HAW   3.3   4.7   10.9   14.13 (97) 
MELB  4.3   6.4    9.5   12.6  (78) 

GOALS: HAW - Franklin 3, Rioli 3, Williams 3, Ladson, Campbell, Roughead, Ellis, Clarke; MELB - Holland 3, Robertson 2, Wonaeamirri 2, Jones 2, Johnson, Davey, Bruce

BEST: HAW - Bateman, Rioli, Campbell, Birchall, Mitchell, Franklin; MELB - McLean, Bate, Davey, Holland, Wonaeamirri, Moloney

INJURY: HAW - Lewis (corked thigh) replaced in selected side by Morton, Dew (hamstring); MELB - White (back) replaced in selected side by Jamar, Robertson (corked thigh), Holland (shoulder)

UMPIRES: James, Grun, Armstrong

CROWD: 34,341 at the MCG

David Neitz, who announced his retirement early last week, was given a lap of honor to farewell fans before the game. It seemed to inspire the Demons, who were intent on honoring their former skipper. They wasted little time in letting the Hawks know the game was going to be a fight to the end. Their first target was star Hawk forward Franklin who was knocked over twice, first by Moloney then by Jones. They attacked ball and man and went goal for goal with the Hawks throughout the term. Robertson twice had a chance to extend Melbourne's lead but missed, leaving the Demons with a six point lead at 1/4 time.

Holland extended Melbourne's lead early in the second term before Roughead replied for the Hawks. This time it was Hawthorn who had a chance to steal the lead again, but Roughead missed two late kicks on goal while the Demons added a second for the term to lead by nine points at 1/2 time.

The Hawks lifted in the third term after the Demons kicked three of the first five goals for a 14 point lead. Mitchell, Bateman and Sewell were the midfield architects for the Hawks while Rioli and Williams sparked the forward line. With excellent delivery from the midfield brigade, the Hawks slammed through four late goals to take a 10 point lead at 3/4 time.

Melbourne regained the lead five minutes into the final term with goals to Jones and Davey. The Hawks regained the lead with a goal to Clarke. The lead continued to see-saw with Bruce's goal restoring the lead to Melbourne. Rioli and Williams goaled and the lead was back in Hawthorn's hands. The scoring dried up through much of the remainder of the term. Davey ran down Morton in an attempt to win the ball. His tackle was deemed a push in the back and the free kick went Hawthorn's way. Had Davey won the kick and goaled, it would have had the Dees within six points. Instead the Hawks got the ball to Williams who kicked one final goal to keep the Hawks undefeated. This is the first time the Hawks have ever won their first nine games.

After the match, Neitz was given a guard of honor by both teams.

BRIS  3.6   9.10   17.11   21.15 (141)
STK   2.4    3.7    6.8    14.11 (95)

GOALS: BRIS - Brown, Bradshaw 6, Hooper 2, Black, Power, Clark, Roe, Corrie, Sherman, Harding; STK - Koschitzke 4, Birss, Dal Santo, Milne 2, Montagna, Goddard, S. Fisher, Riewoldt

BEST: BRIS - Black, Adcock, Brown, Bradshaw, Power, Macdonald;
STK - Hayes, Ball, Birss, Harvey, Koschitzke, Dal Santo

UMPIRES: McLaren, Chamberlain, Head

CROWD: 27,566 at Gabba

The opening term belied what was to come. The Lions were the Brisbane of old with slick teamwork and a powerful forward line against a Saints' team which seemed bereft of any plan. Riewoldt was less than fully fit after being rushed back into the side with a proppy knee. Milne's good form of recent weeks was missing. The Lions had two goals on the board early through Hooper and Corrie before Koschitzke helped set up the Saints for a pair. A miskick by Drummond was picked off by Kosi who then set up Goddard for another. It was only poor kicking for goal by the Lions which kept the Saints in the game. The Saints weren't much better in the first term, but the Lions managed to add one further goal to lead by eight points at 1/4 time.

The blowout began in the second term with Drummond running amok and Clark also setting plenty of opportunities. Clark got the Lions' first goal of the term and began a run of five goals to one. Bradshaw's goal late in the term after some great play from Clark and Patfull gave the Lions a 40 point lead at 1/2 time.

Brown, who was held goalless in the first half, came to the fore in the second half. His teammates continued to pressure, tackle and run the Saints off their feet. Black, Notting, Adcock, Power, Macdonald and Sherman were simply too good and too strong for the Saints. The Saints were also their own worst enemy, giving away three 50 meter penalties (55 yards) for running over Lion marks (area where the ball was caught). It helped the Lions to an eight goal to three term for a massive 69 point lead at 3/4 time.

The Lions continued their dominance until midway through the final term when they led by 75 points. The Saints finally stirred with some good work from Harvey, Hayes and Montagna. They managed to kick eight goals to three to avoid a very embarrassing loss.

GOALS
Franklin (HAW)  46
Bradshaw (BRIS) 37
Fevola (CARL)   37
Pavlich (FRE)   30
Roughead (BRIS) 28
Brown (BRAD)    27 

Source: Melbourne Age, Herald Sun, afl.com.au